Triptych of copper coins 2026 “Canticle of the Creatures”

Vatican City, Italy, and San Marino celebrate Saint Francis with a triptych of three copper coins, each with a face value of €0.75, inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, composed around 1224 and considered one of the earliest texts of Italian literature. The project, created for the eighth centenary of the Saint’s death, presents the Canticle of Brother Sun as a symbolic journey through the three Franciscan themes of cosmic fraternity, the connection with the natural world, and the gratitude to God, transforming the work into a unified numismatic narrative. The three coins share the same obverse, dedicated to Saint Francis. At the center, in the foreground, the Saint is depicted with three doves. In the upper background appears a stylized rendering of Mount Subasio and the Umbrian territories that include San Damiano in Assisi, where Saint Francis composed his most famous work, the Canticle of Brother Sun – Laudes Creaturarum. On the right, an olive tree marks the beginning of a stylized representation of the paths the Saint traveled. The reverse of each of the three coins develops one of the three themes mentioned above. The Italian coin features, in the background, the sun with its rays, the moon, and the stars, protagonists of the first part of the Canticle. In the foreground, at the center, is the Tau cross. On the left is the passage referring to the sun: “Laudato sie, mi’ Signore, cum tucte le tue creature, spetialmente messor lo frate sole.” On the right is the passage referring to the moon and the stars: “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore, per sora luna e le stelle: in celu l’ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle.” The coin of San Marino develops the theme of connection with the natural world through praise of the four fundamental elements: Brother Wind, Sister Water, Sir Fire, and Mother Earth. It includes micro-lettering and stylized elements corresponding to the subject of each verse. At the center is the Tau cross, and at the bottom “0.75 EURO.” The reverse of the Vatican coin develops the theme of gratitude to God, inspired by the final verses of the Canticle, which speak of humankind and its virtues. It is an exhortation to live with gratitude toward God, offering praise even to Sister Death, who is to be “honored and blessed,” here represented as burning incense. Leaves and birds in flight symbolize humility and the blessed souls, expressing detachment from all forms of pride. On the left appears the passage referring to Sister Bodily Death: “Laudato si’, mi’ Signore, per quelli ke perdonano per lo tuo amore et sostengo infirmitate et tribulatione.” On the right is the final passage of the work: “Laudate et benedicete mi’ Signore et rengratiate e serviateli cum grande umilitate.” At the center is the Tau cross, and at the bottom “0.75 EURO.”